In recent years, Democrats have found themselves defending their stance on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports. As the midterms approach, some candidates in competitive races are adopting new strategies, emphasizing their support for restrictions on transgender athletes.
The issue of transgender athletes has emerged as a significant cultural debate. Republicans have leveraged this to portray Democrats as disconnected from public sentiment, with surveys indicating that most Americans prefer transgender athletes to compete based on the sex assigned at birth.
Democrats face a challenging scenario. While the majority of Democratic lawmakers advocate for the transgender community, endorsing restrictions could alienate a key voter segment known for supporting them. This has been an effective strategy for Republicans, especially in the 2024 election.
In response to potential Republican criticism, some Democrats are adopting moderate or conservative messaging to attract swing voters while maintaining support for the transgender community on broader issues. This strategic pivot comes as Democrats aim to widen the electoral field in November, targeting conservative voters amid President Trump’s declining approval ratings due to economic concerns.
What Battleground Democrats Are Saying
Representative Marcy Kaptur, an Ohio Democrat, has stirred discussions through her advertisements addressing transgender rights. Running for reelection in Ohio’s 9th District, which encompasses Toledo and conservative areas in northwestern Ohio, she stated, “I voted with Republicans to keep transgender ideology out of our schools because parents know what’s best for our kids. Boys should not play in girls’ sports.” GLAAD criticizes the term “transgender ideology,” considering it a harmful construct that mislabels LGBTQ+ individuals as an ideological movement instead of an identity.
Despite this, Kaptur has consistently supported LGBTQ+ rights during her congressional service, including voting for the Equality Act and endorsing actions like Trans Day of Visibility, underscored in a March 2021 post declaring “transgender rights are human rights.” While Democrats like Kaptur express views on sports and locker rooms, they avoid radical changes concerning other anti-discrimination policies, leading to discontent among progressive Democrats.
In Iowa, various Democrats have publicly addressed transgender athlete concerns. Two House candidates have done so subtly, without directly naming the transgender community. Sarah Trone Garriott from Iowa’s 3rd District opposes “letting men in women’s locker rooms.” Lindsay James from Iowa’s 2nd District upholds that “all children are made in the image of God,” advocating for “common sense rules” ensuring fair play between boys and girls. She emphasizes parental insight over governmental interference.
Senate candidate Josh Turek expressed in a July interview with The New York Times that “biological males should not compete against females in sports.” Rob Sand, aspiring for governor, stated to Politico that fairness should prevail in sports, stressing the gender division, which he views as reasonable.
James Talarico, seeking a Senate seat in Texas, mentioned to Fox News that he opposes “trans athletes playing in girls’ sports if it endangers safety or fairness.” Newsweek reached out to these campaigns for comments via email.
This shift has evoked criticism from progressives. Erin Reed, a transgender activist, expressed concerns in a Substack post, describing stances like Kaptur’s as detrimental, leaving transgender constituents in a difficult position, questioning the value of their vote.
Sand confronted inquiries on the campaign trail, with one event attendee in Johnson County urging him to retract comments. Sand clarified his stance, supporting restrictions yet opposing Republican efforts to revoke transgender civil rights protections, advocating state focus on universally impactful issues.
Democrats have encountered resistance from their base regarding comments on this issue. Representative Seth Moulton, facing challenges against Senator Ed Markey in the Massachusetts Senate primary, stated in a past New York Times interview his concern for his daughters competing against “male or formerly male” athletes.
What Do Polls Show?
Progressive views diverge from wider public opinion. Various polls suggest major American support for transgender athletes participating according to birth-assigned sex rather than gender identity.
YouGov’s poll earlier this year surveyed 1,112 adults between May 7 and 10, 2026. Respondents were questioned about their stance on “requiring transgender athletes to play on sports teams that match their sex assigned at birth.” Results showed 57 percent support the restriction, while only 20 percent oppose it, and 22 percent remain unsure.
However, respondents show greater support for anti-discrimination measures, suggesting the sports debate is viewed separately from broader transgender rights issues. Fifty-eight percent support “including protections for transgender people in hate-crime laws,” 54 percent oppose employment discrimination based on transgender identity, and 53 percent support banning conversion therapy for transgender youth.
The Pew Research Center poll found only 13 percent exhibit comfort with trans athletes competing on teams unlike their birth sex. Conversely, 66 percent favor laws requiring trans athletes to adhere to original sex categories.